Over twenty years since its initial debut, the beloved JRPG Breath of Fire IV is now available on PC through the GOG Preservation Program. Originally launched on PC in 2000 (with European and Japanese releases following in 2003), the game’s early port was considered lacking by many fans.
One major issue is that Breath of Fire IV was originally crafted for 240p displays. Despite the use of sophisticated upscaling methods, many players have noted that even GOG’s updated version requires some adjustments to mitigate blurriness. However, this new iteration includes numerous bug fixes and enhancements that greatly improve gameplay on contemporary systems by removing DRM.
According to GOG, Breath of Fire IV is fully compatible with Windows 10 and 11, and it features both English and Japanese translations along with various rendering options. The update also reinstates previously missing environmental sounds and enhances keyboard and mouse support while addressing crashes that could occur during battles. Notably, this version now supports controllers as well.
As part of its Preservation Program, GOG asserts that this new version of Breath of Fire IV is the best available on any PC platform. The game was selected after more than 23,000 votes were cast on the GOG Dreamlist, highlighting the community’s desire for its revitalization.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Breath of Fire series, this is a perfect chance to dive in. While the visuals might feel dated, the charming, sprite-based graphics and pixelated characters have their own appeal. The game offers plenty of content, with the main storyline taking over 30 hours to complete; completionists can easily double that playtime. And if PC gaming isn’t your preference, it’s also accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online library.
